“Optimally Reproductive Gilts”
By: Paul Walker Thompson
Date: August 14, 2015
How do we get “Optimal Reproductive Performance and Sow Longevity”? (1) Rob Knox, Jenny Patterson and George Foxcroft state that we need to get gilts to 300 pounds (136 Kilograms) and 230 Days of Age. (1) They state that we need to get gilts to where they have two days of standing estrus, ovulation of at least 14 eggs, and a uterus that is large enough for the large litters being farrowed today. (1) They also state that these gilts have to have a minimum growth rate of 1.3 pounds per day(or 600 grams per day) from the day that they are born, to the time that they are weaned. (1) Boar Exposure should be at 160 to 180 Days of Age. (1) Do your Breeding Goals come close to these recommendations? Why or Why Not? I would love to hear from you as to what works for you!
In the Name of Jesus, be Blessed in everything you do!
Paul Walker Thompson
(1) Knox, Rob; Jenny Patterson and George Foxcroft
"Production targets achieve efficiency" National Hog Farmer April 2015
Blueprint Series "Reproductive Performance" pages 22 and 23